Washington Commanders NFL Draft Odds: Draft Playmakers or Trade Up?

Adam Thompson | 4 mins

After three years of mediocre results for the Washington Commanders under coach Ron Rivera, the team appears poised to make a push in a competitive NFC East.
The defense ranked in the Top 7 in both yards and points allowed, a big improvement from 2021. But the overall record improved just a scant, from 7-10 to 8-8-1, thanks to an offense that finished bottom 10 in scoring for the fifth year in a row.
Right now, the QB atop the depth chart is Sam Howell, a second-year pro who missed his entire rookie season due to injury. The Commanders added Jacoby Brissett in free agency to offer a veteran influence.
Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league and the NFL Draft to create his hypothetical NFL futures odds on who gets selected 16th by the Washington Commanders in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders 1st Round Pick Odds (No. 16)
Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.
Who Will The Commanders Take In NFL Draft?
While the Commanders have made free agency moves, most notably re-signing DT Daron Payne to the second-biggest contract for a D-linemen, most of the other moves were used to shore up depth.
Offensive line was the biggest need until hopeful starters Nick Gates (G) and Andrew Wylie (T) were added in free agency. Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence should be available at No. 16. He’s far and away the top interior line prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Productive Georgia tackle Broderick Jones is also in the mix.
With Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy now in Washington, the new OC may be interested in finding a premier tight end similar to the one he had in KC (we said similar, not a clone of Travis Kelce). The draft is a good spot to get a new top-tier TE.
Dalton Kincaid of Utah and Michael Mayer of Notre Dame are considered a future Pro Bowler at the position. Each could go Top 15, but there is a real chance one of them will be.
Deonte Banks Odds To join The Commanders
Ironically, if there is considered a top defensive need for the Commanders, it resides on the defense - cornerback to be specific. The Commanders signed Cameron Dantzler after three seasons and 26 starts with the Vikings, but this class is rife with legit late-first-round CBs. Devon Witherspoon of Illinois, Deonte Banks of Maryland and Joey Porter Jr. of Penn State could all be available. Porter is the least likely of the bunch to be around. All three grade out similarly; Porter is the biggest, Banks the most athletic.
Quarterback remains the top need. Howell is an unknown and Brissett is here to offer wisdom, not lead a team to new heights. Rumors have the Commanders in the mix to move up to No. 3 overall in a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Cardinals. If that happens, Anthony Richardson of Florida or Will Levis of Kentucky might be under center.
The Field remains a strong possibility, given the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft. Linebacker is a semi-need for the Commanders. While not a deep top of the draft for the position, Drew Sanders of Arkansas or Jack Campbell of Iowa could be enticing at No. 16. Other tight ends such as Darnell Washington of Georgia are also in the mix.
Complete List Of Commanders 2022 NFL Draft Picks
- Round 1 (Pick 16)
- Round 2: (Pick 47)
- Round 3: (Pick 97)
- Round 4: (Pick 118)
- Round 5: (Pick 150)
- Round 6: (Pick 193)
- Round 6 (Pick 215, compensatory)
- Round 7: (Pick 233)
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